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Hidden Stage: Why was Can-Can once considered taboo?
Can-Can, this high-energy dance originated in the 19th century, has always been the soul symbol of French concerts and cabaret, but there are many taboo stories hidden behind its history. Since the 1840s, Can-Can's popularity has been unforgettable with its fierce dance moves and dazzling skirts. But why was this dance considered taboo at the time?
The Can-Can is a high-intensity, challenging dance originally performed by couples, but today is generally associated with chorus groups of female dancers.
The origin of Can-Can
The history of the Can-Can dance can be traced back to the final movements of the square dance. Its specific origin is somewhat vague, but what is certain is that this dance covered various cultural characteristics of the society at that time. In the 1820s, a performer named Charles-François Masurier may have influenced the design of his steps. He was known for his acrobatics and imitations and was a hit on the stages of his day.
This dance was once taboo because of its offensive clothing and violent movements. The hakama worn by women at that time lacked privacy to some extent, and the gorgeous leg-raising and splitting movements even attracted controversy.
19th-century Parisian society demonstrated its ambivalence towards dance. Can-Can's difficult movements attracted the audience's interest, but also made them uncomfortable because of its provocative nature. Although women dancing Can-Can were not specifically required to wear closed underwear, managers objected to them wearing overly revealing clothing, which reflected the society's double-standard evaluation of women's bodies at the time.
Interweaving performances of men and women
As time went by, Can-Can gradually shifted from a public dance for men to an exclusive dance for women. By the end of the 19th century, Can-Can had become a popular dance style, and professional female dancers, such as La Goulue and Jane Avril, began to perform in Rumoulin A venue like Moulin Rouge shines.
These women not only captivated audiences, but also curated their own performance styles and reshaped Can-Can's image.
In the 20th century, the performance style of Can-Can further evolved and developed. With Pierre Sandrini proposing the concept of "French Can-Can" in the 1920s, Can-Can -Can's performance is more exquisite and full of stage effects.
Can-Can across borders
Can-Can was not only popular in France, but also quickly spread around the world, especially in concert halls in the United States. In 1867, Giuseppina Morlacchi first brought Can-Can to the United States, and it quickly aroused an enthusiastic response.
As time goes by, although Can-Can has withdrawn from some areas, theater performances including Can-Can dance are still held regularly in Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada.
In the 1900s, Can-Can's influence expanded to music and other artistic fields, influencing composers, and even became the musical background of many films and stage plays, becoming one of the elements in literary and artistic works that reflects the spirit of the times.
Music to dance with Can-Can
The rhythm of Can-Can can also be found in the musical works of Franz Lehár and Cole Porter, which has made Can-Can a cultural presence in the history of dance. Location. Its melody is not only the basic accompaniment for dancers, but has also become a cultural phenomenon on the American stage.
"Hell Runner" by French composer Hacked Bach is one of Can-Can's representative works and is still frequently seen on various stages and media.
Even in modern times, Can-Can is still active on major stages, such as Broadway productions and theme park performances, and even appears frequently in electronic entertainment. Its influence cannot be underestimated.
The history of Can-Can not only reflects a dance style, but also a social process of struggle and resistance. The body language of the dancers on the stage is like a cry to declare freedom. However, when an art form is given the color of taboo, what deep-seated social problems are hidden?
